EDITOR’S NOTE: The Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament concluded Saturday night with a championship doubleheader. While NEPASportsNation.com compiles more complete reports, here is a quick recap of the night’s action.
By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
DALLAS TWP. – With Jacob Hunter and Brenna Hunt turning in terrific all-around performances Saturday night, the Holy Redeemer boys wrapped up their first title and the Lake-Lehman girls captured their third straight in the Wyoming Valley Conference Basketball Tournament championship doubleheader.
Hunter fired in 30 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and made 3 steals as Holy Redeemer beat host Dallas, 73-65, in the nightcap.
In the opener, Hunt scored 16 points, made 7 steals and grabbed 6 rebounds as Lake-Lehman beat Holy Redeemer for the third straight time, 45-34.
First Hunt, then Hunter put on a show for the overflow crowd.
Dallas closed a 48-37 deficit in the last minute of the third quarter of the boys final all the way to one point in the fourth, but the Mountaineers never led in the last 19½ minutes.
Hunter made sure with 12 points in the quarter, including a 3-pointer from the left corner with 5:15 left and another from the left wing with 2:45 remaining to add to three- and two-point leads at the time.
The momentum-halting, corner 3-ball was cause for a little extra celebration.
“I turned around and saw the student section right in front of me,” Hunter said. “They travel so well. They support us so much.
“It’s just fun. They’re a part of the game basically. They’re a huge part of the game. They bring the energy.”
Hunter temporarily lost his touch at the foul line, starting 3-for-9 before recovering to go 3-for-4 late.
Move him back five feed and create some chaos around him and Hunter’s shot was fine. He went 4-for-7 from long distance along with finishing a series of tough, twisting drives down the middle.
Zach Perta also made four 3-pointers in eight tries. He had 22 points and 6 rebounds.
Darryl Wright added 14 points and 6 assists.
Jeff Kozerski grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
Michael Bufalino had 14 points for Dallas in the first 11 minutes with a 3-pointer and a trio of three-point plays. He did not score again, however, and fouled out playing only 1:50 of the last 19:08.
Darius Wallace led the comeback attempt, going 8-for-8 from the line while scoring 10 of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter.
Nick Williams scored 13 points and Jude Nocito had 10 with the help of three 3-pointers.
In the opener, Lake-Lehman continued its series of recent fast starts.
In three playoff games, the Lady Knights have taken leads of 20-0, 17-4 and tonight’s 14-2 advantage.
Molly Jenkins had 7 of her 11 points in the 14-2 start.
Jenkins took care of the start.
Hunt handled the finish.
After Holy Redeemer got within three points, Hunt did all the scoring in a 6-0 run to end the third quarter. She had four more in a 5-0 start to the fourth quarter for a 33-19 lead.
“Brenna Hunt was outstanding,” Lake-Lehman coach Charlie Lavan said. “She gave us a spark in the fourth quarter.”
Ella Wilson scored 8 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.
Hailey Kline, who dished out five assists, and Lia Keefe had eight rebounds each.
Jillian DelBalso scored 14 points and Meghan Albrecht had 11 for Holy Redeemer.
COMING UP
Return to Basketball – NEPA Sports Nation more-detailed reports on Friday’s action.
